Netscape download requirements

[Adam Shostack]

First off, I applaud Netscape for making the US version available for
download.  All of my comments here should be taken as questioning the
why's, not suggesting that the implementation is so onerous Netscape
shouldn't have done it.  Although, you might want to add a link to a
page decrying the kafka-esque experience; perhaps Matt's 'My life as
an arms smuggler?'

My question is, under what lawful authority would you release the
data?  The ITARs don't seem to contain anything special, so would you
hand out lists on a subpeona?  Individual names on a subpeona?  Lists
on a warrant?

Incidentally, they seem to be doing a credit check sort of
verification; I gave a decade old address, and it worked fine.  I feel
free to do this because I'm legally entitled to download strong crypto
software, and see no need to hand out my unlisted phone number in
doing so.

Adam

Jeff Weinstein wrote:

|   The Department of State tells us that permission was granted to
| MIT and others under the "old policy".  The "new policy" has not
| been completed, which led to long delays in our getting approval.
| Our current approval is temporary, pending release of the "new
| policy".  In order to get this permission we agreed to ask for and
| archive this information, in case law enforcement required it for
| some related investigation.  The following statement is at the
| bottom of the page, near the submit button:
| 
| 	ALL SUBMISSIONS ARE LOGGED
|         Misrepresentation or omission of facts is covered under
| 	ITAR 127.2(a) and (b)(13).
| 	These data will only be released to satisfy lawful requests by
| 	government agencies, should such requests be made.
| 
|   That last sentance means that we won't be selling the list to
| telemarketers, or making it publicly available.
| 
|   If you are not comfortable providing this information, then you
| may either run the export version, or purchase the retail navigator
| package, which also includes the US only version when sold in the US.
| 
| 	--Jeff
| 
| -- 
| Jeff Weinstein - Electronic Munitions Specialist
| Netscape Communication Corporation
| jsw at netscape.com - http://home.netscape.com/people/jsw
| Any opinions expressed above are mine.
| 


-- 
"It is seldom that liberty of any kind is lost all at once."
					               -Hume